International Journal of Engineering and Technical Research (IJETR)

ISSN: 2321-0869, Volume-2, Issue-4, April 2014

Biopurification of Waste Water Through Algaae A

Review
Ghanshyam Paswan and Kumar Nikhil

Abstract Biopurification of wastewater through algae is an
advanced technology of wastewater purification. Algae can be
used for tertiary treatment of wastewater due to its capacity to
assimilate nutrients. This invention uses a cheap and efficient,
ecologically safe hybrid photo bioreactor for the simultaneous
detoxification of industrial wastewater and production of
micro-algal biomass. The advantages of this invention result
with no pollution of hazardous substances and cost benefits
(Commercialization of algal biomass will reduce the cost of
wastewater treatment). In the current review we will highlight
on the role of biological purification of waste water.
Index Term Wastewater, Biopurification, Heavy metal,
Algae
and blue green algae, oscillatoria and phormidium are
emphasized to tolerate organic pollution.
Algae are having symbiotic relation with bacteria in aquatic
ecosystem. Algae support aerobic bacterial oxidation of
organic matter producing oxygen through photosynthesis
while release carbon-dioxide and nutrients in aerobic
oxidation used for growth of algal biomass [5]. Algae and
biopurification of waste water is major importance to the
environment, because this will develop an efficient, low cost,
and environment friendly process. Algae have a solution to
emerging environment problems, they removes excess wastes
efficiently at minimal cost [6].

I. INTRODUCTION
II. BIOPURIFICATION OF WASTE WATER
The waste water can be formed by a variety of an THROUGH ALGAE
activities, including washing, bathing and using the toilet
Biopurification of waste water through algae helps not
e.t.c. Waste water is more commonly known as sewage. The
only in waste water treatment but also in algal cultivation.
biopurification of waste water through algae is an old idea,
Phosphorous removal rate are commonly considered for
and several techniques for exploiting the algaes fast growth
waste water treatment, which allows the growth of algae as
and nutrient, removal capacity [1]. Algae are prokaryotic &
well as waste water treatment.
eukaryotic [2]. Algae are structurally not seen by naked eye, it
Two types of waste water treatment through algae given
cant see with the help of microscope. The main classes of
below:
algae which is used for waste water treatment are
a) Waste stabilization pond system- This biopurification of
chlorophyta, euglena, chryophyta, cynophyta, e.t.c.
waste water in waste stabilization pond. This is green
The algae release the oxygen while carrying out the
treatment achieved by the growth of algae and
photosynthesis which ensure a continuous supply of oxygen
heterotrophic bacteria. The algae is a product of
for biodegradation. Algae based waste water purification is
photosynthesis in which oxygen is used by the bacteria as
mainly used for nutrient removal as nitrogen and
they aerobically oxidized the organic compound in the
phosphorous. Algae is cultured for waste water treatment,
waste water and the end product of this bio oxidation is
because they provide tertiary biotreatment along with the
carbondioxide, which is fixed into cell carbon by the
production of potentially valuable biomass. This can be used
algae during photosynthesis.
for several purposes. Algae uses nitrogen, phosphorous and
b) High rate algal pond system- This is a combination of
inorganic substance for their growth, does not leads
intensified oxidation in pond and algal reactor in which
secondary pollution.
high rate algal ponds are shallow, paddle wheel-mixed
open raceway ponds and provides efficient waste water
Algae is good indicator of pollution because they have wide
treatment than conventional oxidation ponds. As a result
temporal and spittle distribution, respond quickly to the
of intense algal photosynthesis which provides
change in environment due to pollution. Some algae shows
saturated oxygen to drive aerobic treatment and
the types of pollution [3], such as many blue green algae
assimilation of waste water nutrient into algal biomass.
occur in nutrient less water, while some grows organically
The fuel is being extracted from biological component.
polluted water [4]. Algae grow well in water containing a high
concentration of organic wastes. Green algae,
Chlamydomonas, Euglena, Diatoms, Navicula, Synedra
III. ECONOMICS & USES
Manuscript received April 05, 2014.
Ghanshyam Paswan , Intrim Trainee, at EMG, CSIR-CIMFR Biopurification of waste water through algae is low cost
Dhanbad, Jharkhand (Nov 2013- May 2014), from- College Of Commerce, method and environment friendly, this method removes heavy
Magadh university, Patna, Bihar, India, Mobile- +91- 7870264166. metal and toxic substance [7]. It releases carbon-dioxide and
Dr. Kumar Nikhil, Principal Scientist, EMG, CSIR-CIMFR, Dhanbad,
balance green house gases (GHG), so does not pollutes
Jharkhand, India. Mobile-+91-9835568089.

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 Biopurification of Waste Water Through Algaae A Review
atmosphere with hazardous substances and also does not
exposes the microbial hazards.
If land is not expensive, since the method demands larger
area than conventional waste water treatment. This also
makes more promising small scale treatment than
conventional waste water treatment. This also makes
promising small scale treatment than in large centralized
urban treatment plants. In addition, algal harvesting treatment
ponds are widely used as nitrogen and phosphorous
supplement for agriculture purpose and can be subjected to
fermentation in order to obtain energy from methane. Algae
are also able to accumulate highly toxic substance such as
selenium, zinc, etc. in their cells, thus eliminating such as
substances from aquatic environments.
Radiation is also an important type of pollution as some
water contain naturally radioactive materials and others
become radioactive through contamination. Many algae can
be taken up and accumulate many radioactive minerals in
their cells even from greater concentration in their water [8].
Different algal species purify water, it is worth to emphasize
that algal technology in primary, secondary and tertiary stages
[10]. Algae has an important role in self- purification of
organic pollution in natural waters [11]. Algae remove
nutrient, heavy metal, pesticides, organic and inorganic toxic
substances from water by accumulating their cells [12, 13]
and algae may be used successful for waste water treatment as
a result of their bioaccumulation abilities.
IV. ENVIROMENTAL BENEFITS
Pollution of the atmosphere with hazardous substance like
ammonium, carbon-dioxide and orthophosphate as main
nutrient source of algae [14]. Grobbelaar et al. reported that
to oxygen releases 1.9gO2/1g of algal biomass [15]. Algae
using nitrogen and phosphorous in growth may remove the
nutrient load of waste water frown a few hours to a few day
[16]. In comparison to common treatment system oxidation
pond increase dissolved oxygen and pH concentration
because algae remove phosphorous, sedimentation,
ammonium, hydrogen, sulphur, high pH in algal waste water
purification leads to pathogen disinfection [17]. Some species
of algae have capacity to remove heavy metal i.e. chrome by
Oscillatoria [18,19], cadmium, copper and zinc by chlorella
vulgaris lead by chlamydomnas and molybdenium by
scendsmus chlorelloids may remove successfully [20,21,22].
Algae has adapting ability to sub-lethal concentration;
accumulation of heavy metals in cells may be potentially toxic
effect to the other circles of food web [23].
Algae as a good bioindicators, identify and quantify the
effect of pollution on the environment. Five algal species are
selected which are good bioindicators of pollutant in river in
England, Stigeoclonium tenue is present at the down strem
margin of the heavily part of river, Nitzschia palea and
Gamphonema parvulum always appear to be dominant in the
mild pollution zone whilest cocconeis and chamesiphon
reported to occurs in unpolluted part of the stream or
repurified zone [24]. Navicula accomda is good indicator of
organic pollution, the same species Gamophema [25], which
is commonly found in highly polluted water. Amphora ovalis
and Gyrosigma attenuatum are also introduced as good
example of diatoms affected by high organic content of water
[26]. In small scale, waste water treatment through algae are
72
beneficial for suitable for growth in pH, salt etc, it fixes
carbon-dioxide, produces biomass, greater feasibility, of
culture.
V. FUTURE SCOPE
In upcoming future, waste water purification through
algae will prove itself, because this treatment costs is less for
the removal of heavy metal and toxicity purification from
waste water which prevent the pollution in comparison to
varies chemical waste water purification. The purified water
can be used in agricultural field which encourage the growth
of crops. There are so many company use algal purified water
for fermentation. Combining algae for waste water
remediation with Biofuel production is an economically
feasible process. The waste water treatment plants are an
invaluable source of algal as a feedstock for a variety of
purpose. Mac Kenthun emphasized show that spirogyra can
accumulate to the ratio of phosphorous by a factor of 85000
times that of water. Consider all these abilities of algae to
purify the polluted water of is worth to emphasise that algal
technology in waste water treatment system are expected even
more common in future years.
VI. CONSTRAINTS
Algae are primary producers in all kinds of water bodies
and they are involved in water pollution. In water algal
species producing massive surface growth or blooms that in
turn reduce water quality and affects its use. During
biopurification of wastes water through algae, pollutants are
produced which are toxic to fish and also mankind and animal
using polluted water. Algae can play significant part of food
chain of aquatic life thus alters the number and kind of algae is
commended strongly for fishes.
VII. CONCLUSION
On the basis of biopurification of waste water through algal
technology it can be concluded that photobioreactor are not
economic for such treatment in the short and medium term,
biopurification of waste water through algae uses simple
oxidation ponds or with or high rate algal ponds.
Biopurification of waste water through algae which is applied
to improve the quality of waste water remove solids
substances, heavy metal and toxicity. Initial cost of industrial
plant waste water treatment through algae is highly expensive
which can be minimized through more research in future.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author thanks to Director, CSIR-CIMFR, Barwa road,
Dhanbad for providing the facility to complete the article &
permission to publish the article.
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 International Journal of Engineering and Technical Research (IJETR)
ISSN: 2321-0869, Volume-2, Issue-4, April 2014
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